Card Table

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention is a card table having a plurality of indented portions around the periphery. The plurality of indented portions may allow a person sitting at the table to be closer to the center of the table that if the periphery did not have the indented portions.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tables and more specifically to card tables such as are used for poker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tables used for playing card games often have several drawbacks. First, the standard card table normally holds four players and some card games may involve more than four players. Second, larger tables capable of holding additional players are often so large that it is hard to reach things on the table. Third, with many people reaching around the table during a game, drinks are often spilled on the table when someone bumps a drink during a card game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a card table having a plurality of indented portions around the periphery. The plurality of indented portions may allow a person sitting at the table to be closer to the center of the table that if the periphery did not have the indented portions.

The invention has several technical advantages. Embodiments of the invention may have none, some, or all of these advantages. The invention allows card tables to accommodate a large number of players and increases the probability that a player can reach items on the table without standing up because the indented portions of the periphery allow a player to be closer to the center of the table than they would be if the periphery did not have the indented portion. For handicapped persons who cannot stand, the invention also increases the probability that a player can reach items on the table. The invention may have drink holders which are recessed in the table top and which decrease the probability of drinks spilling. Embodiments of the invention may have chip holders recessed or otherwise mounted on the table top surface to allow chips to remain organized when games using chips are being played on the table. Embodiments of the invention may not have legs such that the card table may be placed on top of another table for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a card table constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a card table constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a card table constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a card table 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. Card table 10 comprises a playing surface 12 and player surface 14. Playing surface 12 may be any material but may advantageously be felt, wood, plexi-glass, lucite, or any other solid material. Player surface 14 may be made of any of these materials and may be made of a different material than playing surface 12. In addition, player surface 14 and playing surface 12 may be separate pieces or may be integrally formed. Portions of each of playing surface 12 and player surface 14 may also each be separate pieces. For example, playing surface 12 could be formed of two semicircular pieces. While playing surface 12 is shown as a circular playing surface, playing surface 12 could have any shape. While card table 10 may advantageously be used to play poker, it could be used to play any type of card game (or other game). Playing surface 12 may be higher, lower, or at the same level as player surface 14.

Card table 10 further comprises chip holders 16 and cup holders 18. Chip holders 16 may be any type of chip holder capable of holding poker chips. Chip holders 16 may be removable or fixed. For example, chip holders 16 may be plastic removable holders or may be a hollowed out portion of player surface 14. Chip holders 16 could also be glued or otherwise affixed to player surface 14. Chip holders 16 need not be made of plastic and could be made of any material. Cup holders 18 may be any type of cup holder and may likewise be removable or fixed. Cup holders 18 may be plastic removable holders or may be a hollowed out portion of (or opening completely through) player surface 14. Cup holders 18 could also be glued or otherwise affixed to player surface 14. In some embodiments, cup holders 18 may be a plastic piece (or piece made of a different material) that fits within a recess or opening completely through player surface 14. In other embodiments, cup holders 18 may be affixed to the top of player surface 14. Cup holders 18 need not be made of plastic and could be made of any material. Chip holders 16 and cup holders 18 may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

Card table 10 further includes a plurality of indented portions 19. Indented portions 19 are in the side of card table 10. (Other embodiments may have multiple sides with one or more indented portions 19). Indented portions 19 allow players sitting at the table to more easily reach other parts of the table during the playing of the game. In particular, indented portions 19 allow players to sit closer to the center of the table and decrease the probability that a player reaching for an item on the table will need to get up out of his or her seat to reach the item on the table. For handicapped players incapable of standing, the indented portions 19 decrease the probability that such a person will need to request help to reach an item on the table. For example, during a poker game, it is more likely that the player with the winning hand may retrieve the chips constituting the pot without having to get up. This is especially advantageous for tables built to accommodate a large number of players. Card table 10 is shaped like a saw blade and the indented portions constitute indented portions analogous to those of teeth on a saw blade.

While any size indentation could be used, in some embodiments, the indentation is at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten inches further indented at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table. For example, the center of the curves forming the indented portions 19 in FIG. 2 or 3 may be at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten inches further indented than the outer edge 22 of the table.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a card table 20 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the table is octagonal with curved indented portions which provide the advantages described above in connection with FIG. 1. These indented portions form concave areas on each of eight sides of the table. All of the potential options discussed in connection with FIG. 1 are equally applicable here.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of a card table 30 constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the table is rectangular with the curved indentations therein. In this embodiment, each side of the table has multiple indentations. While this embodiment has two indentations per side, other embodiments may have one indentation per side or more than two indentations per side. Again, the indentations provide the advantages described above in connection with FIG. 1. All of the potential options discussed in connection with FIG. 1 are equally applicable here.

All of the table tops illustrated may have legs or may omit legs. Where legs are omitted, the table top may be placed on top of another table during use.

In operation, card games may be played on any of card tables 10, 20, or 30. For example, poker may be played on the card tables. The table is provided with the indentations such that the indentations increase the probability that a player can reach an item on the table than if the indentations were not present. The indentations may have the characteristics described above. Players during the card game may seat themselves at an indentation to improve their ability to reach items on the table. Players may also place drinks in cup holders 18 and place poker chips in chip holders 18. The cards may then be dealt to the players and the game played. At the conclusion of the game (or of one hand of a game), one or more players (or the house) may collect one or more chips representative of a sum of money.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicant wishes to note that he does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph 6 of 36 U.S.C. § 112 as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless “means for” or “step for” are used in the particular claim. 

1. A card table top, comprising: a table top wherein the table top comprises a plurality of indented portions in the side of the table around its periphery; at least one drink holder adjacent one of the indented portions.
 2. The card table of claim 1, further comprising: at least one poker chip holder adjacent one of the indented portions.
 3. The card table of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least two inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 4. The card table of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least three inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 5. The card table of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least four inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 6. The card table of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least five inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 7. A card table top, comprising: a table top wherein the table top comprises a plurality of indented portions in the side of the table around its periphery; at least one poker chip holder adjacent one of the indented portions.
 8. The card table of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least two inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 9. The card table of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least three inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 10. The card table of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least four inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 11. The card table of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of indented portions is indented at least five inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 12. A method of playing a card game, comprising: seating a plurality of players at a card table, wherein each player is seated at an indented portion in the side of the table around its periphery; dealing each player one or more cards; and playing the card game.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein each indented portion is indented at least two inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein each indented portion is indented at least three inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein each indented portion is indented at least four inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein each indented portion is indented at least five inches at the most indented point on the periphery of the table as compared to the least indented point on the periphery of the table.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: collecting a sum of money at the conclusion of at least one hand of the card game. 